Internet sensation Lovely Laura and prolific Ibiza DJ Ben Santiago have quickly risen to be one of dance music’s most revered and dynamic duos in the industry. With residencies under their belt for some of the biggest clubbing brands, and streams in the millions for their signature fusion of rich, energy driven grooves and addictive saxophone, the pair’s shared talents have proven to be a compelling combination. We caught up with the pair as the Ibiza season draws to a close to reflect on their summer and working together.
Tell us how you both first got into music – was it production, DJing, or something else that captured your attention?
LAURA: I was fortunate enough to be born into a musical family and apparently was scatting to Ella Fitzgerald before I could talk! It was only later when I was about 19 that I took up the saxophone and realised that I had to make music my life. I had no idea I would end up in the electronic music world though, that was completely by accident!
BEN: I got into electronic music in the late 80s when acid house and hip-hop burst onto the scene. My friends and I used to buy all the records and DJ as a hobby in mine or other friends’ bedrooms. It was only many years later after a trip to Ibiza did I decide to try and turn professional.
What was your big break? And who were your inspirations in music growing up?
BEN: It’s been a very slow and gradual process, but quite a major turning point in my Ibiza journey was when I started working with the legendary party hotel, Es Vive. It was back when the hotel was in its prime and was a hive of activity. Being a part of that was a great shop-window for me and it also opened a lot of doors. Through playing there, I started my long-standing relationship with Cream which is still going today, plus the Hed Kandi residency also came about through Es Vive.
LAURA: Not sure that I’ve ever had a ‘big break’, but similar to Ben it’s been a long and gradual process to get this far. I’ve had a few amazing opportunities along the way but it’s all come through a lot of hard work from myself. My motto is ‘you get back what you put in’ and it’s so true! My first musical inspirations were from the jazz world: Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Chet Baker – I could go on! I then discovered soul music, artists like Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Aretha, Michael Jackson etc, so I would like to think that my playing has been inspired by a whole heap of legends!
You released your first track together ‘Just Want Your Body’ this year and also continued on touring across Ibiza – what made you decide to enter the studio together?
LAURA: We have been trying to get in the studio for a while now but due to our touring schedules it’s been rather tricky, so we decided last winter that we had to stop and make it happen. We’re planning to do the same again this winter too!
BEN: Because we are a duo and we love music. It was a natural step.
Do you plan on releasing more tracks together in the future? And will it be sticking to that house X sax combo?
BEN: We will definitely be releasing more tracks together, and whilst house is what we love and play our gigs, I don’t think we can rule out making other genres as our love for music extends beyond house. Watch this space I guess!
LAURA: Completely agree with Ben here. We both have a huge love for other styles of music and of course my love for jazz is never far away! In all honesty, I can get a bit tired of house music all the time, it’s good to slow the beat down now and again and get some different vibes going!
We caught some amazing footage from your Ibiza Rocks Pool Party residency – how has that been? What has been a highlight of the shows and did you guys curate the bills yourself?
LAURA: We’ve had so much fun there this year! It was a new venue for us so of course you never know how the parties will go. Ibiza Rocks was beyond professional to work with and they really helped to curate each event alongside us – we all worked very well together as a team. My favourite party was probably the closing party as everyone brought such a great energy there.
BEN: Probably the closing party for me. It was a really good crowd and was amazing to end on a high.
What is your favourite thing about being able to tour together (and the worst!)?
BEN: The best part is being on this journey and sharing all these amazing experiences with my soul-mate. The worst part is not being able to lie when i get home about how hard I’ve been working and I need a massage haha.
LAURA: Haha! I’ll remember that Mr Santiago!! Agree with Ben though in that it’s so nice to share this amazing journey with the one you love. When I was touring before I met Ben I always used to feel very lonely on the road and often wished I could share my experiences with someone special. Probably the worst bit is that Ben’s a breakfast person and I’m a sleep person, so I would happily skip breakfast to get that extra hour in bed – not any more though! lol
Where has been the best place you’ve visited this year on your musical travels and why?
BEN: I would say Bali. What an incredible place that was!
LAURA: Agree, Bali was super special. Also, we took a break to Boracay in the Philippines which was outstanding!
Do you prefer festivals or clubs, and what has been your favourite event this year?
LAURA:I love both! My favourite event would probably be our Ibiza Rocks residency but for pure entertainment value my most memorable memory was Creamfields festival! The weather was hacking it down and we got absolutely soaked. I had a constant battle to stop myself from laughing whilst being smacked in the face with a plastic poncho – you couldn’t make it up!
BEN: I honestly don’t have a preference between clubs & festivals as I love them both for different reasons. It’s hard to single out one event as a favourite as there have been some incredible moments so far this year, but I feel it would have to be one of the Ibiza events as the Ibiza crowds are arguably the best in the world.
What track/ artist can you just not stop playing lately? Who shall we be listening out for?
BEN: Denis Sulta has been producing some incredible disco tracks lately that I am absolutely loving, plus of course Camelphat are churning out killing tracks like there is no tomorrow! I am really happy for the success those guys have had. Fully deserved.
LAURA: I’ve been listening to a lot of classical music recently, clearly my head is having a musical detox!
Finally, what is next for you? Where can we catch you live for the end of 2018?
BEN: We’re just working on our winter calendar now. We’ve got quite a few UK & Ireland gigs coming up, plus we return to Zero Gravity in Dubai if anyone in the UAE is reading this!
LAURA: Yes, we have plenty of UK dates coming up and I can confirm we will be in the UK for the end of 2018 so buzzing for this 🙂